Tube-bending apparatus.



Patented Doc; 3|, l90l. F. G. HAMPSON.

TUBE BEND ING APPARATUS.

(Applicatipn filed Sept. 5, 1901.

' 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

(NC Hodei.)

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Patented Dec; 3|; I90l. F. G. HAMPSDN. TUBE BENDING APPARATUS.

(Application. filed am. m 1901.

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No. 690,023. Patented Dec. 3|. l90l. F. G. HAMPSUN.

TUBE BENDING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 5, 1901,)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

F. G. HAMPSUN. TUBE BENDING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 5, 1901.)

No. 690,023. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

(No Model.) 5 Shget's-Sheat 5.

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Uwrrnn STATES PATnNr Urrrcn.

FRANK GEORGE I'IAMPSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TUBE-SENDING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,023, dated December31, 1901.

Application filed September 5, 1901. Serial No. 74,405. (No InodeLl T0aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK GEORGE HAMP- SON, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at London, England, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in or Relating to Tube-Bending Apparatus, (for whichapplication for Letters Patent has been made in Great Britain under No.3,231, dated February 14, 1901,) of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to apparatus for bending tubes and otherarticles, such as rods and the like, for various purposes, and isparticularly suitable for bending tubes for Watertube boilers.

The chief object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for bendingthe tubes in the cold condition and without requiring the interior ofthe tube to be filled with any supporting device or material. In theapparatus about to be described the tube is bent alternately to eachside of the general axial or central line; but the apparatus may be usedfor making bends of any required kind in the tube and not necessarily anumber of similar bends.

In carrying out the invention I employ a table or bed-plate of anysuitable dimensions and material-say, for example, cast-ironand in thisI place any desired number of holes in suitable arrangement or relationto each other, so as to provide centers about which the tube can bebent. The holes may be simply formed in the plate or the plate may bemade with provision for varying the positions of the holes, which, forexample, may be formed in separate pieces of metal adapted to be closedup or arranged in any desired position, order, or sequence. Instead ofemploying holes into which pins will be inserted pins may be employedwith means for depressing them or holding them out of the way until theyare wanted.

At one end of the working portion of the apparatus is provided a clamp,preferably formed in halves, each having a semicircular recess, so thatwhen the halves are clamped together they will firmly grasp the end ofthe tube. A clamping-screw or other suitable device may be employed forsecuring the tube in the clamps. Where it is intended that the tube willhave a bend close to the end, onehalf of the previously-mentioucd clampmay form a portion of a fixed roller about which the tube is intended tobe bent.

The previously-mentioned holes are adapted to receive studs or pins,upon each of which will rest a roller or curved bending-surface andabove that the end of a lever, preferably operated by hand or otherwise,by means of which the tube is bent. The lever carries a roller, betweenwhich and the tube to be operated upon is placed a strip of metal orslipper having a semicircular recess throughout its length on one sideand flat upon its back where the lever roller works. The leverrollcr maybe adjustable and may be springcontrolled, if desired.

The operation is as follows: To bend a tube, the first and fixed rolleror bending-surface is placed upon the first pin, this particular rolleror bending-surface being, if desired, provided with pins or otherwiseadjusted so that it will not turn. The tube is now placed in the grooveof this first bending roller or surface and its end grasped between thepreviously-mentioned clamps. The end of the lever, which is providedwith a suitable hole, is placed over the projecting end of the pin andthe loose strip or cover placed upon the tube between it and thelever-roller, so that that portion of the tube fits between thesemicircular recess in the fixed roller or surface and the similarrecess in the strip or cover, so that at the point where it is subjectedto the bending stress it is in effect held in a tube. By moving thelever upon its pivoted end as a center the tube is bent around theroller or curved surface to the desired extent and the lever thenremoved and placed upon the next pin in the series, which is placed intothe second hole in the table. Upon the pin, below the lever, is a secondroller, which need not be fixed, and the cover is then applied and thelever operated as before, but probably in the reverse direction,(according to the particular bend to be applied to the tube,) and thetube again bent in the same manner as before. The various pins androllers of the series are then successively applied and used in the samemanner, and at the end of the series the bending of the tube. iscompleted according to the position, shape, and number of the bendingrollers or surfaces, and so on with successive tubes. Generallyspeaking, it is desirable to have the various purchasepoints rigidlyfixed and unyielding, but springs or yielding appliances may beemployed, if desired.

It will be appreciated that by using the re- 'cessed strip or coverbetween the lever-roller and the tube the latter is saved from beingflattened or distorted, as would be the case if the roller operateddirectly upon the tube. I prefer to make the cover-plate or slipperstraight and with a flat back for the leverroller to engage.

, Referringtotl1edrawings,Figurelisaplan, and Fig. 2 a side elevation,of a tube-bending apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention.Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 with the tuberemoved. Fig. 4 is a side elevation. Fig. 5 is aplan', and Fig. 6 an endelevation, of a modified construction of apparatus.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

' A is the table or bed-plate.

B represents the studs or purchase-points, and O is the operating-lever.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, theapparatus is arrangedfor bending a tube alternately to each side of the general axis orcenter line, and the bed-plate is provided with two series of holes orrecesses A A These two series of holes are arranged parallel with eachother, the holes of the series A being arranged alternately with theholes of the series A These holes are adapted to receive the studs 13 toform the centers about which the tube may be bent and are provided withgrooved rollers or bearing-surfaces B. On the'upper end of each of thestuds B is formed a knob or handle B (see Figs. 2 and 3) for conveniencein removing or inserting the studs in the holes.

The lever O is provided with a roller G which is mounted eccentricallyon a center pin or axis C so that its position relatively to the end ofthe lever or the studs B can be varied as required, or any othersuitable device may be employed for adjusting the position of thelever-roller.

Between the roller C and the pipe D is placed a slipper E, formed of astrip of metal and having a longitudinal recess E throughontits lengthon the side adjacent to the pipe D, the other side of the slipper beingflat to form a surface on which the roller C runs. The slipper E ispreferably formed straight; but it may be curved or of any other form,if required. p

' The fixed roller 13 on the stud on the end of the table from which thebending operation is commenced is fixed to the base-plate by means ofstuds B which enter holes'in the surface of the plate and prevent theroller from turning, or the roller may be held stationary by any othersuitable means.

A clam pin g device F for holding the end of the tube to be bent isprovided. It consists of two parts, one of which is secured by means ofbolts F to the roller B*, which is cut away to receive it, as shown inFig. 1. The parts are formed on their meetingfaces with semicircular orapproximately semicircular grooves or recesses F into which the end ofthe pipe or tube D enters, the parts being afterward clamped together bymeans of a clampingscrew F mounted in a projection A screwed into thebed-plate, and secured by a nut A A reduced end F of the clamping-screwenters a hole in one of the parts of the clamping device, the screwbeing furtherprovided with a head F, by means of which the stud F may beturned. The clamping device may be formed separate from the roller andmay be connected to the base-plate by any suitable means. When the endof the tube has been fixed in the clamping device, the opening in theend of the lever O is placed over the end of the first pin 13, carryingthe fixed roller 13, and the slipper E is inserted between the tube andthe roller 0 in such a manner that where the tube is subjected to thebending-stress it is supported in a tubular or circular holder. Byturning the lever D around the stud B the' tube'D is bent to the desiredextent around the roller B*, after which the lever is removed and placedupon the next stud of the series, which is situated in the second holein the bed-plate and is provided with a roller B. The lever is thenoperated in a reverse direction to the previous operation and the tubeagain bentin a similar manner as before. The remaining pu rchase-pointsare then successively applied and the tube bent around them until therequired number of bends have been applied to the tube.

If desired, instead of the studs and rollers I forming the variouspurchase-points being rigidly fixed and unyielding they may be fittedwith springs or other yielding devices. By employing a recessed slipper,such as E, between the rollers C and the tube to be bent I am enabled tobend cold empty tubes without distressing them, and the latter are savedfrom being flattened or distorted, as might be the case if the roller 0operated directly on the tubes.

Referring now to the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 4. to 6,the apparatus is arranged to bend the tube alternately to each side ofthe center line, as in the previons example, but the lever (J isoperated by power to bend the tube instead of by hand, as abovedescribed, and each stud or purchase-point is suspended from a shaft Gby means of a cord H, passing over a pulley G on the shaft and carryingat its other end a counterbalance-weight H. The shaft G is mounted in anupright pillar G2 at each end of the'bedplate and is provided with aseries of pulleys corresponding in number to the number of studs. Thebearing-surfaces or rollers are not free to rotate on'the studs, as inthe former example, but are fixed to or formed integral posite directionto the former bend.

with them. The bearing-surfaces are cut away or formed eccentric, sothat they may readily be inserted into their respective holes withoutrequiring the tube to be drawn out of the way. The cut away face isturned to the tube ,in order to insert the stud, after which the studcan be turned into the necessary position by means of a key or leveradapted to fit the upper end of the stud. The end of the operating-leveris then fitted onto the top of the stud and is operated by a cord I,attached to its free end. The other end of the cord is wound around adrum or cylinder I, mounted at the opposite end of the table orbed-plate to that at which the bending operation is commenced. The shaft1 on which the drum or cylinder is mounted, carries at its lower end atoothed wheel 1 which gears with a worm I on a shaft 1 carried inbrackets I at the end of the apparatus. The shaft I carries at one end afast pulley I and two loose pulleys I I, so that the direction ofrotation of the shaft may be reversed when required by means of thebelt-reversing gear 1 After the tube has been fixed in the clampingdevice F and bent around the end purchase-point the first of thesuspended studs is drawn down and inserted in one of the holes in thebase-plate. The lever is then placed on the end of the stud and the drum1 rotated to operate the lever to bend the tube to the desired extent.When the requisite bend has been applied to the tube, the mechanism isreversed to unwind the cord. The lever is then removed and the next studof the series lowered and inserted. The lever is then applied to theupper end of the stud, the drum being again rotated, so as to operatethe lever to bend the tube in the op- The other studs are successivelylowered and the drum rotated in one or the other direction until therequisite number of bends have been applied to the tube.

I have described an apparatus adapted to bend a tube alternately to eachside of the general axis, but the purchase-points may be arranged sothat other bends may be applied, and by using different-sized rollers orbearing-surfaces larger or smaller bends may be applied, in which casethe lever may have more than one opening, so that the distance of the1ever-roller from the purchase-point may be varied, or, as stated, thelever-roller may be adjustable lengthwise of the lever or deeper ornarrower slippers may be employed for the same purpose. Other forms ofbearing-surfaces than those described may be applied to the studs tosuit requirements, and I may employ other forms of gearing for operatingthe lever or for holding the studs out of the way when not required.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes, a lever having one end engaging with the purchase-points,a roller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the roller and thetube substantially as described.

2. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes of bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a leverengaging with the purchase-points a roller on the lever and a slipperdisposed between the lever-roller and the tube substantially asdescribed.

3. In a'tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes of curved bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a leverengaging with the purchase-points a roller on the lever and a slipperdisposed between the lever-roller and the tube substantially asdescribed.

4. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes of rollers havin g curved peripheries on thepurchase-points, a lever engaging with the purchase-points, a roller onthe lever and a slipper disposed between the roller and the tube,substantially as described.

5. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes, grooved bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a leverengaging with the purchase-points, a roller on the lever and a slipperdisposed between the roller and the tube and having a longitudinalrecess to fit the latter substantially as described.

6. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes, eccentric bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, alever having one end engaging with the purchasepoints, an adjustableroller on the lever and a slipper disposed between the tube and theroller and having a longitudinal recess to fit the tube, substantiallyas described.

7. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed-plate, theremovable pur chase-points and the lever of a fixed roller at the end ofthe bed-plate at which the bending operation is commenced and a clampingdevice for holding the end of the tube to be bent substantially asdescribed.

8. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes, bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a lever havingone end adapted to engage with the purchasepoints, a fixedpurchase-point and a clamping device substantially as described.

9. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with a bed-plate having anumber of holes in its surface of removable purchasepoints adapted tofit the holes, grooved bearing-surfaces on the purchase-points, a leveradapted to engage with the purchase-points, a roller on the lever, afixed purchase-point and a clamping device connected to the fixedpurchase-point substantially as described.

10. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed plate, thepurchasepoints, the bearing-surfaces on the purchasepoints, the leverand the clamping device of counterbalance mechanism for retaining thepurchase-points out of the way when not required substantially asdescribed.

11. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed plate, thepurchasepoints, the bearing-surfaces on the purchasepoints, the leverand the clamping device, the winding-drum, the flexible connectionbetween the lever and drum, the shaft upon which the drum is mounted, adrive-shaft, for operating the drum, and mechanism for reversing therotation of the drive-shaft; substantially as described.

12. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed plate, thepurchasepoints, the lever and the clamping device of counterbalancemechanism for retaining the purchase-points out of the way when notrequired and power mechanism for operating the lever substantially asdescribed.

13. In a tube-bending apparatus, the combination with the bed plate, thepurchasepoints around which the tube is bent, a lever having one endengaging with the purchasepoints, a roller adjustably mounted on thelever and a slipper interposed between the roller and the tube;substantially as described.

14. In a tube-bending apparatus the combination with the bed-platehaving a number of holes in its surface of purchase-points adapted tofit the holes rollers on the purchasepoints having a portion of theirperipheries cut away and a lever having one end engaging with thepurchase-points; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK GEORGE HAMPSON.

IVitnesses:

WM. J NO. TENNANT, HARRY B. BRIDGE.

